JJB Sport founder speaks of ‘sadness’ at firm's collapse
Dave Whelan, founder of JJB Sports, has spoken of his sadness following the collapse of the empire he helped build following news that the specialist retailer had been forced into administration, leading to the closure of 133 stores and the loss of 2,200 jobs.
Whelan founded the chain in 1971, sitting at the helm until 2007 when he sold due to ill-health, in that time he had built the operation up from a single outlet to a £1bn operation.
Speaking to the MEN Whelan said JJB’s demise was ‘very sad, but inevitable’, adding: “I feel awful. This is the company that I built up from one store to be worth more than £1bn.
“The company has fallen apart and it can only be due to very, very bad management. I don't think that there is any doubt about that.
“How many managing directors have come and gone over the last few years?”
Sports Direct has moved to buy 20 JJB stores from administrator KPMG, in addition to all its stock, but Whelan has said it is unlikely he will acquire any of the remaining assets.